African breadfruit (ukwa), botanically known as Treculia africana, is a huge tree that is part of the Moraceae family. It grows mainly in tropical regions. Ukwa is as large as watermelon and weighs 10 or more pounds. This seasonal food is highly proteinous and is one of the foods that easterners enjoy in abundance during the rainy season. It is cheaper at this time so people who want to eat it throughout the year buy it in large quantities. They can then dry and store it for later use.
When ukwa is fried, it becomes a tasty snack that is valued by most people in Igboland. It offers a different taste from the usual ukwa porridge. However, it must be mentioned that this tasty crunchy snack may be off-limits for people with a tooth problem. Fried ukwa can be best enjoyed with palm kernel or coconut. To get the palm kernel is simple. Just save the palm kernel after extracting the oil for your banga soup or ofe akwu. Spread it outside and when it dries, use a stone to separate the shell from the nuts.
Ukwa eyelu eyé is easy to prepare. The small brown seeds have groundnut flavour when fried. Please note that you can either fry the ukwa with the skin on and then peel later or you can peel the ukwa before frying. I have tried both methods and I prefer peeling after frying because by then the skin is easier to remove. I’m a member of the stress-free club abeg. I cannot come and kill myself because I’m cooking. Fried ukwa can be stored in clean, dry bottles.
Ingredients
3 Cups of ukwa
Palm kernels and/or coconuts
How to Cook
Rinse and place your saucepan on medium heat. When the moisture has dried from the saucepan, add the ukwa into it and dry fry it. Continue stirring the ukwa seeds until they begin to pop.
Take a handful of it and peel by rubbing them between your palms. If the seeds are golden colour in appearance, it means the ukwa is properly fried.
Bring down from heat and allow to cool before peeling the skin off the remaining ukwa.
Serve cold with either coconut or palm kernel nuts.
Sources:
Favour Chukwunyere, African Breadfruit, Ukwa- Health and Nutritional Benefits
Global Foodbook
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Featured image source: Global Food Book
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